Mr. Starr pushed a cart full of groceries to his car. After emptying the cart, he pushed it back to the store. He pushed the cart at a speed of 2 meters per second each way. Which is the best prediction?(1 point)

Question

Responses

When it was full, the cart had less kinetic energy.
When it was full, the cart had less kinetic energy.

The cart had the same kinetic energy going each way.
The cart had the same kinetic energy going each way.

When it was empty, the cart had less kinetic energy.
When it was empty, the cart had less kinetic energy.

The cart’s kinetic energy depends on Mr. Starr’s mass.

Answer 1

The best prediction is:

When it was empty, the cart had less kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy is calculated using the formula \( KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 \), where \( m \) is the mass of the object and \( v \) is its velocity. When the cart is empty, it has significantly less mass compared to when it is full of groceries. Therefore, its kinetic energy when empty would be lower than when it is full, assuming he is pushing it at the same speed in both cases.